History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c24.s6.11

v1.c24.s6.11

Another aspect of study concerned planets and other connected phenomena for determining the nature, volume and timing of rains. This was closely associated with the development of astronomy to which significant contributions were made by the requirements of the Vedic cult of sacrifices and later by the Jainas and various schools of astronomy, including Greek and Roman. The application of astronomical knowledge to agricultural work was noticed by Megasthenes (Fragment I, p. 41; Majumdar p. 237) who says that the philosophers of India, when gathered together at the beginning of the year, forewarn the assembled multitudes about droughts and wet weather and also about propitious winds.